Praedicator

Verba

Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Thursday in the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

[Malachi 3:13-20B and Luke 11:5-13]

What father among you would have his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

At present I am at a beautiful retreat center called Picture Rocks, in the desert northwest of Tucson, Arizona, to preach two priests' retreats. I can testify from having been here before that snakes and scorpions are plentiful on this property. Hen's eggs and fish would not last long! But God's gift of the Holy Spirit is the one that counts when preaching a retreat for clergy!
I think sometimes we pray for a particular result to come about without our having to make any effort to assist it. Praying for the "means" instead of the "end" can escape our attention. I have discovered that the most powerful "means" that I have at my disposal in my own ministry is that Holy Spirit that the Lord freely gives to those who ask for it. Ideas and words seem to show up when I need them, but I also have to be an active "listener" to the Lord and to the retreatants who often serve as the stimulant in the process of preaching!
All of this requires a healthy faith in God's providence that we will receive the gifts we need when we ask. Jesus calls attention to our own gift-giving as an example. This could be frightening! Yet God knows what is good for us and even if we AND God are both frustrated at times, the main gift of that Holy Spirit will ultimately lead us on. AMEN